How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Safari in East Africa

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

I’ve got bad news for you…safari is pretty damn expensive.

But the good news is that going on safari (which literally just translates to “to travel” in Swahili) is a travel experience that lives up to its giraffe-high expectations. Evenings spent beneath a heavy blanket of stars with a hot bottle of water warming my feet (aptly nicknamed a bush baby), listening for creatures in the dark. Pastel pink mornings were spent rocketing around pot-holed dirt roads in search of predatory cats. Every single camp-cooked meal and sought-after wildlife sighting. This is a trip you won’t soon forget.

If you’re looking for a cheap safari in Africa, there are a few factors that you can mitigate to ensure you get the best price. This blog post will cover what you can expect from a budget-friendly safari, how to make your safari cheaper, and how to plan a budget-friendly safari that doesn’t disappoint.

Because determining the cheapest way to safari in Africa is straightforward, but YOU have to be willing to sacrifice the comforts and amenities that other options offer.

Does A Truly Cheap African Safari Exist?

That depends on what you consider “cheap.”

We have traveled to 40 countries and usually manage to stick to a budget of about $50 per day for the two of us. While you can easily hit that mark while traveling in East Africa, you will NOT be entering a single national park or enjoying wildlife watching for that price. Safari is expensive—often extortionately so.

This is because of national park entrance fees, accommodation in and near the parks, and transportation to them (as they are not near any major cities or bus routes). A huge contributing factor to the high price tag is also, regrettably, the market. Read: Older, European/American, lux travelers checking of a bucketlist. Locals aren’t going on safari. Sadly, most Ugandans will go their whole lives without seeing a lion. This market skew means that most tourism companies are pricing their services according to their clientele.

But that doesn’t mean you are doomed to overspend on your safari.

Safari itineraries are usually very comparable to one another experience-wise, with price tags varying wildly. You can pay anywhere from $2000 to $25,000 per person for the trip. It’s usually only the amenities that change. But if you’re looking for a true multi-park safari experience, I would expect to spend at least $2,000 per person. Cheap? Not really. But maybe a little cheaper than you had originally imagined.

How To Plan an African Safari on a Budget

These are the questions you need to ask yourself before you continue with this blog post.

• Am I happy with a group trip on which I share a safari vehicle with strangers and adhere to a tight schedule?
• Is wildlife a priority for me? Or do I really just want to see ONE lion or a specific kind of animal?
• Am I comfortable camping?
• Am I willing to self-drive a vehicle in East Africa?
• Do I have a specific country or national park in mind?

Because it’s these decisions that will affect how much your safari costs in the long run. If you don’t want to camp, want to see LOTS of wildlife, don’t want to share with strangers, and INSIST on visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya — well, there’s not a lot you can do to curate a budget-friendly safari as you’ve got your heart set on the most expensive options.

But if you start reading this blog post knowing your hard limits while keeping an open mind to other options…this will likely save you A LOT of money.

What Countries Offer the Most Affordable Safari Options

First, let’s address WHERE to go on safari. Up until now, I’ve been referencing “Africa” in general. But that’s a whole continent. (I highly recommend reading this book before you visit). These are the most affordable countries in which to plan a safari.

• South Africa
• Uganda
• Kenya
• Tanzania (hear me out)
• Malawi
• Namibia

It’s a ton of countries. What countries specifically are very expensive to go on safari in?

• Botswana
• Rwanda

Obviously, there are really expensive options in all of the above countries, but the top six have affordable options as well. Or at least a large range in prices. I always struggle to say a trip that costs thousands per person is “affordable.”

Here is why I think each of those countries harbors a budget-friendly safari option.

Budget Friendly Safari in Kenya

Kenya is the single most popular safari destination in Africa. Home to the great migration, Masai Mara National Park, and loads of other big five parks, it’s easy to see why people love it. This popularity makes it really easy to join a group tour geared toward budget travelers OR visit one park, like Amboseli or Masaai Mara, that is easy to reach from Nairobi. Both are affordable options in Kenya.

Budget Friendly Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania is renowned for its safari destinations. It’s also renowned for how expensive it is. But for those who want an adventurous self-drive safari, you’ll find that Tanzania’s parks all sit within close proximity to one another on very decent roads. Self-drive safari anyone? Tanzania is, without a doubt, the best country in East Africa to plan one. Due to its popularity, you can also join budget-friendly group tours easily.

Read More: In fact, I have an 11-day self-drive Tanzania itinerary right here for you.

Budget Friendly Safari in Uganda

Uganda is the cheapest safari destination I have ever visited in Africa. It’s also super underrated. You can see the big 5, it’s affordable to self-drive, and the cost of accommodation/camping/food in Uganda is the cheapest.

Budget Friendly Safari in South Africa and Malawi

While I personally have not gone on safari (yet) in either of these countries, they are considered to be the cheapest countries to safari in the region. In South Africa, you can even go on an Uber safari to Aquila Private Game Reserve.

Budget Friendly Safari in Namibia

Another destination on my safari bucketlist that is known for cheap family holidays and camping. I have not yet been to Namibia, so I won’t offer any specifics, but follow the tips laid out in this blog post, and I’m sure it can save you a few hundred dollars.

Consider What Kind of Budget-Friendly Safari is Right for You

Let’s talk about your options for budget safari and what each looks like. This way, you can determine which option is right for you.

1. A Self-Drive Safari (Our Choice)

While self-driving is NOT popular, it is, without a doubt, the most rewarding, exciting, and adventurous way to travel in Africa. It’s also easier than you think. We spent 3 months in East Africa on one giant safari and spent about $5,000 per person. Obviously, we could have spent way less by cutting out some of the more expensive attractions and NOT visiting 13 national parks, but we didn’t want to.

This option is best for people who want to MAXIMIZE wildlife sightings, visit multiple countries or more than a few destinations in one country, love to camp, and are planning on spending more than 10 days total on safari. If you’re planning a short trip or have no experience driving in a foreign country, then this might not be the best choice for you.

2. Group Safari (Most Popular Budget Travel Choice)

Welcome to the most popular budget safari option. Here, you’ll go on a multi-day trip with anywhere from 6-12 people in an extra-large safari vehicle. These excursions usually include tent camping and visiting the most popular parks.

This option is best for travelers looking to meet people, wanting to visit only the most popular national parks and wildlife destinations, and are planning a short visit to Africa. These options are most readily available in Kenya and Tanzania.

3. Private Safari Booked On Arrival (Only for Expert Hagglers)

Rather than book a private safari or guide online, you can save loads by waiting until you land in the country to plan your safari. The only caveat is that you need to KNOW how much things cost. Otherwise, you’ll end up getting hosed by tour operators anyway. Check national park entrance fees, cost of vehicle rental, and accommodation/camping fees. You can always ask for an exact breakdown of costs from whoever you are booking this with. It’s also best to try to book directly with a tour guide, not a middleman. This is not the best option for those who are short on time or who are uncomfortable with flexibility.

4. Single Park Visit (Only Partially Here for Wildlife)

When you were considering the questions above, if you felt that seeing one national park or spotting just a few key species is really all you want from an African safari– I’ve got great news. The absolute cheapest way to safari in Africa is to visit only ONE park from a major city like Nairobi.

This usually means Masaai Mara or Amboseli.

BTW Masaai vs Masai? Two “aa” is the local way, one “a” is the British spelling.

Both harbor the big five and offer day excursions or overnight tours from Nairobi. Here are some other single parks we really enjoyed in East Africa. (*serengeti coming soon*)

5. Backpacker-style Multi-Country Safari Adventure

Have you seen those massive safari buses that hold 20+ people and traverse multiple countries over the course of several weeks? Well, now you have. Amenities are backpacker-style with camping, self-cooked meals, and tight quarters with all your fellow trip mates, but it’s only going to cost you a few thousand dollars. This is *usually* for travelers aged 35 and under. Not exclusively, of course, but that’s who you will typically find on these kinds of long, bare-bones bus trips.

I’m a HUGE fan of G Adventures Trips because of the way they emphasize local guides and sustainability. These are the best options.

Why We Chose to Self-Drive in East Africa

I firmly believe self-driving safari in East Africa is the BEST way you can safari on a budget. While you will definitely spend a little less on a shorter safari that visits fewer places…if you want to see ALL the wildlife in many parks, doing it yourself is the only way to go. Here are the reasons why we opted for a self-drive safari as our best budget-friendly option.

• We could dictate exactly how long to spend looking at any one animal.
• It’s a super cool adventure!
• We chose which national parks we wanted to prioritize and other activities to pepper in along the way.
• We got to camp in remote and hard-to-reach places that tour operators don’t bother taking you to.
• It’s cheaper than any other option when you compare apples to apples. (number of days and parks visited)
• All national parks (aside from Masaai Mara) in East Africa allow self-drivers. No guide fees!
• We wanted a long trip (3 months) through four countries (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania).

Read More: An Honest Look At Whether Or Not You Should Self-Drive Safari in East Africa.

I’ve written many self-drive guides to East Africa because the info on the internet is scarce and usually filled with poor advice. If you decide to go that route, be sure to check out my itineraries and tips!

Rent your car with Road Trip Africa! We used a few car rental companies in East Africa and none are more equipt than RTA. If you’re looking for the very best vehicles, gear, and service then give them a look. There are cheaper options but if safety and good customer service are worth the extra money to you, then there is no better company to rent from.

What is a Realistic African Safari Budget

Now you can kinda see why this question is so difficult. A safari is not just one style of trip. There are so many variables that go into it. But here is what you should aim to spend when searching for a budget safari.

• For a single park visit just to see wildlife: $250 per person

• For a short multi-park trip (less than 10 days): $1,400 per person

• For a multi-country or longer trip (10 days – 20 days):$2,500 per person

• For a lengthy multi-country safari (like ours): $4,500+ per person

How Much We Spent on Our East African Safari: African Safari Costs 2025

I’ll direct you to my very detailed blog post: Is a self-driving safari actually cheaper? This will give you a minute-by-minute breakdown.

We spent about $11,500 for two people over the course of 3 months, or about $5,750 per person. While the total price tag is definitely not smaller than other options, the bang for your buck is incomparable. This was for 90 days in East Africa, after all!! There are definitely ways to do it even cheaper, which I’ll cover below.

How to Save Even More Money Than We Did on Safari in East Africa

We broke our carefully calculated budget many times on this trip. Our fridge (yes, we paid for a mini-fridge) was rarely devoid of Tusker or Nile beer (the Serengeti wine goes down real smooth after a long dusty drive), and we spared no expense when it came to parks. We visited every single park on my list, which brings me to my first money saver.

1. Don’t Feel The Need to Visit EVERY National Park in East Africa

While all of them are wildly impressive and teeming with wildlife, most are pretty similar to one another. Especially ones that are close to each other. I can’t tell you how many times I googled “best national parks in Kenya” or “best national parks in Uganda” and sifted through page after unhelpful page. What I can tell you is to determine which animals you most want to see and then choose parks from there.

These were my favorite parks in East Africa. But here’s a quick cheat sheet for the most popular animals.

• Cheetah – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
• Mountain Gorilla – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda
• Lions – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
• Rhino – Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
• Leopard – Good luck.

Speaking of wildlife experiences…

2. Skip Trekking With Mountain Gorillas.

Blasphemy. I know. I trekked to see the rare apes in Uganda and LOVED it. I wrote this whole blog post detailing the experience and whether or not I think it’s worth the $800 per person price tag. (This is the current price, but it could very well go up.)

But there is ZERO workaround to make this experience cheaper, and if you’re on a tight budget, then this might not be in the cards for you.

3. Split With Your Fellow Travelers

Group tours are the easy way. But you can also meet people in the hostels and guesthouses of Nairobi, Kampala, and Arusha. All of which are where most travelers go to begin their safari. OR consider bringing more friends from home. We split the Tanzania portion of our trip with two of our friends from the UK, and it cut costs considerably. Of course, that means forgoing a private safari experience, but it can cut costs considerably, especially if you plan to self-drive.

4. Camp. And Do It Mostly Outside National Parks.

Aside from Uganda, campsites within national parks cost 3x as much as ones right outside the park gates. Taking a little extra time on iOverlander to choose cheap camping can save you a lot of money. Camping is by far the most affordable accommodation in East Africa, with prices ranging from $10 pp to $35 pp per night.

Hot Tip: Choose a rooftop tent if you can. While ground camping is obviously cheaper (just in terms of the vehicle rental), it’s also riskier with large wildlife like elephants around. And snaked. Or scorpions. But hey, I guess if we’re talking “budget-travel tips,” ground camping is possible and the cheapest way to go.

5. Skip the Booze.

When I looked at the sheer amount of money we spent on beer and wine in East Africa… let’s just say I was disappointed (concerned?). Beer is about $1.50-$2 a bottle on average, and wine is about $12+ a bottle. I’m not saying skip it entirely I suppose, just be reasonable.

Hot Tip: Get the glass bottle of Nescafe instant coffee. Or bring something you can make from home. The coffee situation is dire and usually expensive.

6. Cook Basic Meals.

While we’re talking about food…street food was surprisingly rare and pretty monotonous and uninspired. To be fair, I’ve spent most of my time in Asia, which has left me spoiled. But if you grocery shop in the large cities with the intent of re-upping on veggies and fruits only as you go, you can cook every meal for yourself for a reasonable price tag. Again, this is mostly for self-drivers. Meals will be arranged by your group tours and guides otherwise.

Just be aware that restaurants aren’t cheap. Usually around $10-$20 per plate. Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous. But if it’s a place where you go inside + sit down or a tourist lodge, that’s the reality. You will find street eats for a couple of bucks — but coming from an avid street food eater, eat at your own risk.

7. With Some Hesitation…Travel in Off-Season.

This is a hail mary, a last resort. If you are self-driving, I would not attempt this adventure. Off-season means rain and poor road conditions, which can lead to delays and missed safari days. But tours are most definitely cheaper outside the PEAK months of August + September. So, if you want to risk it, you can opt for the off-season, where you’ll see a definite price difference.

What To Expect While On a Budget-Friendly Safari

Fun fact about Africa: there’s no secret room for animals available to those who pay more money. A national park is a national park, and whether you pay $20,000 for a lux tour or drive yourself, you’re going to see much of the same wildlife. Here’s what a typical day taking yourself on safari looks like…

• 5 AM: Up at the crack of dawn to take down your camping gear in the dark.
• 6 AM: First light means you should be on the road in search of wildlife.
• 6 AM- 1 PM: Full on Safari mode. Hopefully, you planned our which tracks you want to focus on and search for animals. Or follow other safari cars around once they also enter the park. Whatever you like best.
• 1 PM – 2 PM: Find a nice spot to cook yourself a proper lunch and rest.
• 2 PM- 6 PM: Safari again. Animals are most active in the evening and early morning.
• 6 PM – 7 PM: Either be leaving the park in the last light of day OR setting up your camp + cooking dinner so you don’t have to do it completely by the light of your headlamp.

On days in between safaris or just peppered throughout your existence in East Africa, you will also…

• Boil water in the kettle for a bush shower.
• Fend off baboons whenever you choose to stop somewhere scenic to eat.
• Hire a park guide to ride with you and then inevitably spot more wildlife than him.
• Have to backtrack 10,000 times because the road Google suggested is actually a moto trail on further investigation.
• Learn to love the routine of setting up and tearing down camp each day.
• Spend lots of time reading by Kindle light after dark or studying maps in preparation for the next days safari or road trip route.

While I can’t say for certain what a budget-friendly safari tour is like, I can assure you, you should be prepared for…

• Bathrooms ranging wildly from “I’d just gonna pee outside” to running water that might even be hot.
• Camping. Always. Not “Glamping.” Real tent camping.
• Routine meals consisting of chicken and rice. Maybe pasta. Maybe lentils. Nothing too exciting.

If this all sounds like a great adventure to you, then you are probably up for a DIY East African safari. You’ll see more wildlife than you could possibly imagine, explore remote areas of the savannah, and get a better look at what East Africa is actually like.

Save This Budget Friendly Safari Post For Later!